Pobtable support



Jilly 17, $928., 1x577 139 LE ROY M. FULTQN PORTABLE SUPPORT Filed Sept. 15', 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LE ROY M FULTON PORTABLE SUPPORT Filed Sept 13 1923 July 17, 1928.

Patented July 17,, 1928.

UNITED STATES,

LE BOY M. FULTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PORTABLE SUPPORT.

Application filed September 13, 1923., Serial No. 662,493.

This invention relates generally to containers and supports therefor, and more particularly to an improved support characterized by the provision of means for permitting the adjustment of the support to different dimensions, more especially for the purpose of conveniently supporting and transporting objects of different sizes, such as containers illustrated herewith; this invention furthermore embodying improvements in a container particularly adapted for use with the support shown, for storing and transporting motion picture films.

It iscustomary to transport motion picture films from the exchange to the theatre in specially constructed fire and heat resistant containers, and as only one film of a series may be projected at a time, it is desirable that the remaining films be properly safely housed while in the motion picture booth. To thisend, the film case or container of this invention is provided, and in order that a motion picture booth may be properly equipped ,with means for supporting the film cases in a group, to which the film reels may be transferred when received, and extracted for use as required, I have provided the improved combined container and supporting device hereinafter described in detail.

l/Vhile the supporting device and the container are here illustrated and described as a unitary structure, for the purpose of con venience, it will be readily understood that they may be used separately, and for purposes other than that shown, thus, this invention finds a wide field of utility for many purposes.

The principal objects and advantages which characterize this invention reside in the provision of improved portable supporting means;the provision of improved variably dimensioned supporting means; the provision of improved variably dimensioned readily portable supporting means; the provision of an improved supporting structure which is readily adapted for clampingly engaging an object to be supported; the pro vision of an improved combined support and truck arranged to afford variable dimensions for engaging objects of various sizes; the provision of animproved device for supporting objects in different angular positions; theprovision of an improved combined supportingdevice and truck for variably angularly supporting and retaining objects of different dimensions; the provision of a device of the character described, which is capable of quick and facile assembly and dis-assembly; the provision of an improved supporting device which embodies novel features of construction which provide for manufacture at low cost; and the provision of a device of the character described which, though capable of easy assembly, is rigid when assembled. and light and durable.

This invention is further characterized by the provision of an improved container and support therefor for rendering the container readily accessible and easily transportable fromplace to place; the provision of an improved combined portable support and improved container; the provision of an improved container for inflammable material, such as motion picture film reels, and which is provided with means facilitating the removal of the film reels therefrom; and the provision of an improved container embodying the foreging and other improved features and advantages, which is strong, and durable, heat. and fire resistant, and capable of manufacture at low cost.

The foregoing and such other objects and advantages as may appear or be pointed out as this description proceeds are attained in one structural embodiment of this invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: t

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one form of this invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view, parts in section, of the same;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail;

Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary elevational and end views, respectively, of an alternate form of this invention; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a detail.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and first to igures 1 to 3, inclusive, the supporting device includes the end frames F and F, which carry and retain the container A. The frames F and F are arranged at the proper distance apart for the particularcontainer or other article to be supported and retained by them.

The supporting frames Fand F are substantially identically constructed, and. therefore I will describe but one of them, namely, that designated 11.

The frame, in this form of the invention, comprises the standards 5 and (5, preferably angle-iron and cut and formed to provide a seat composed of the arms I and '8 ,-at the top, and divergent legs 9 antllO at' the bottom.

The arms 7 and 8 are forrned by utting 1 ately an angle of 45"; The legs 9 and -l() are similarly formed by cutting through the, saiiie end.flanges et-theangle-irons, as indieated at 12"-12,;andthcn 'b'endiii g said legs, oilitivardly. The legs are p'r'o'videdw'vith foot portions 13 and "1.4', by reinovii'ig a generally vsinped piece from said "end flanges, at 14 r-14,and bei'idi'iig said foot portions into planes parallel to those of the standards 5 and" 6.' Theflower ends ol jthe foot portions respectively, tofx vhich flanges are secure; castersdl- The standardsthus are formed each'from a' single bar of angleron, and said stand erasure fixed connected in space relationship by the provision offthe iat transverse 21%21, and bottom relatively crossed fiat 'bars 22 and 'riv eted each at '2424' and varying the angularity of 'tacles having shapes other than that shown and supported. I I p dependent upon the length and strength-of v 25-25*t0;u1e1egs QLanId 10 and foot pieces, res] 'ectively, a central rivet- 2G fixedly con- Said rivets all" pass through the end flanges of said angle necting said crossed bars.

In assembling the two frames, tie rods 27 Y into engagement with the ends or sides of a receptacle, s'uchns A, which :1s supported by the seats '7' and 8- The projecting" ends of the tie rodsQ/T, -28 and 30 and 31ers threaded to receive inner and outerjr'e'taii'nng nuts 32 and 83.

The seats? and 8 as shown lie at such an angularity that they 3 readilyreceive snugly two adjacent right-angularly disposed edges or corners of the polygonal receptacle A, but it will be obvious 'that, by

may he readily received When the outer sets oi nuts are tightened, the

seats 7 and 8 of the end frames clampingly engage the adjacent portions of the recep- ."tacle, and then the inner nuts may be tightened 'in order to lock the frames, The re ceptacleand frame thus, are rigidly connected and form a substantially unitary readily portable structure.

The container-0f thisfinyention preferably coinprisesa substantially rectangular hous in'g provided with heat and fire resisting I The frames F"a11dF-are' then drawn together I said seats rece})- g divided by partitions, equally heat resisting, into com- --partments 35, sufliciently capacious for reception ot' -but one loaded film reel, seen at 36, Figure 2. Each of the compartments is individually accessible and closed by the provision of doors3737, Which latter havin'g heat insisting Walls 38, and are hinged at 3939 to one corner of the container. The container is preferably placed in the sulfiporting device so that the hinges 39-arej' at'tlie bottom, as shown. r, On eaclroi the doors, near the-hinges thereofithere is provided a saddle 40lin the forrn' 01 a loop, and hinged at 41 to its respective door; The saddle .40 serves to sup port and carry the film reel 36, so that,-as the door is opened, the reel is raised out of the container and thus facilitates removal of the reel." ltl-a'ndles 42 are provided'on'e on each door. g

The receptacle Ais angularly supported as showni'or the reason that 'by presenting an edge thereof upwardly itis impossible '1 for one torarelessly leave ai'iytl'iijng, such a film reel on the top-oit'the device, and thereby expose sucha re el [t'ofire should-it occur in the inunediate vicinity of the devicer A rack .for spare empty reels is aifordedbythe tie hars'SO- and-31. 'Thus, the device not only aliords a convenient readily porta-f bletrucktor permanent assembly with a container for use in housing motion picture films and the like, but also contributes to "ard the attainment ofabsolute safety inv motion picture projectiom and removes one Inn of the common causes of fire in motion pic ture projection booths.

It is c-uston'iary to construct-thecontainers A with from three to eight con'ipartments, and in the event'that nine compartmentsare desired, the purchaser may obtain a four and a five compartment contz-iiner and use them jointly with the support. In thiseve'nt, the 1 joint between the two containers may be supported andthe containers kept even by placing the spanner, 43, shown in Figure-3,; beneath the joint, said spanner comprising a flat right-angularly bentstrip of metal, provided with lugs 44.-'44, which hook over the tie rods-27 and 28. It will thus be seenthat any number ot' co 'itainers, Within rea sonable limits, may be supported on the frame F and F, the capacity being only the tie rods and general structuraluendurance of the \vl oleg device. I

Referring now to the alternate form of this invention illustrated in Figures 4 and.

5, I provide a-supporting structure inmany respects similar tothat shown inFigures -1 tom in a horizontal plane rather than angularly disposed.

Several typesof film containers now on the market involve a gravity discharge feature, such as that shown in Figures at and a and designated B. There is providedcin each compartment what might be termed a false bottom, 46, arranged in an inclined plane, and the compartment opening at the side, with a sliding door 47 to close it. WVhen the door is opened the film reel 18 rolls out. The invention, as constructed in Figures 1 and 2, mightserve to support such a container as that shown in Figures l: and 5, but the structure shown in the latter views is better adapted for this purpose, because the container should properly be supported level, and the arms 7 and 8 pos sibly would not have enough surface contact with, the container if supported level thereon.

Tn this arrangement there are provided two end frames D and E, which are substantially identical in construction, therefore, I will describe but one of them.

The frame comprises a single angle-bar having one flange 49 thereof cut at 5U5() and 5151, and bent to form divergent legs 5252, divergent arms 53-53, and posts or standards 53 the legs 52 being further cut and bent to form foot portions El a-ft. Casters 55-55 are secured to said foot portions.

The flange 49 of the angle bar is furthermore out at 56 and when the angle bar is bent as shown affords a substantially horizontal transverse seat portion 57, which latter, on each frame, receive the adjacent end corners 58 of the container B.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the seat 57, arms, posts, and legs are all formed from a single angle-bar.

The structure thus provided is made more rigid by the provision of the transverse flat bars 59 and 60, the former being secured between the arms 53 by the tie rods 6161 and their nuts 652 632, and the bar being riveted at 63 to the posts 53. Abutment nuts 64; are arranged within the arms 53 on said tie rods 61, for locking the structure when assembled.

The legs 52 and foot portions 54 are fired ly connected and thereby maintained rigid. by the provision of the crossed braces 65 and 66, which are riveted alternately to the legs and foot ortions, as indicated at 67 and 68, respective y. A central rivet 69 fixedly connects said crossed braces at their intersection. A lower set of tie rods 70 extends between the upper portions of the braces 65 and 66, and nuts 7171 serve to fix said tie rods.

The variable dimension feature of this device is similarly accomplished to that of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2, and therefore it is not necessary to repeat it here. It will be obvious that the supporting frames of both of the forms of this invention are interchangeable, and that the containers may be supported equally well by either of said devices. For this reason, I reserve the right to modify the structures shown within the spirit of this invention and the purview of the claims.

A spanner 43 is employed in connection with the device of Figures 1 and 5, and performs the same function there as the spanner 4:3 performs in the device of Figures 1 and 2, the spanner 43 having fingers 44* which overlie the rods 61.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a supporting device, a pair of standards including angle bars notched at a plurality of points and bent at said notches to form complemental top divergent support ing portions, intermediate substantially parallel relatively soaced standards, divergent legs and spaced root portions in planes substantially parallel with said intermediate standards, and transverse bars connected to said standards for spacing same apart whereby a polygonal container, may be supported in said top divergent supporting portions.

2. In a supporting device, a pair of standards including angle bars notched at a plurality of points and bent at said notches to form complcmental top divergent supporting portions, intermediate substantially par allel relatively spaced standards, divergent legs and spaced foot portions in planes substantially parallel with said intermediate standards, horizontal transverse connecting and reinforcing bars arranged to connect said respective top divergent portions together, and crossed bars for connecting one each of said legs with the opposite foot portion, and said reinforcing bars having means attached thereto for forming an adjustable connection between two or more of said supporting devices.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature this 22nd day of August, 1922.

LE ROY M. FULTON. 

